Bank Account and SIM Card for Students in the Netherlands
Most banks ask for your BSN, which you get when you register with your city. Some, such as ABN AMRO, let you open an account without one.
Example bank
Recent Transactions
Example: groceries
Example: rent
Example: SIM top-up
Your citizen service number (BSN) comes first. Most banks need it, and you need it to work.
Banking in the Netherlands
Most people pay with a debit card. Some stores no longer take cash.
- You can open a bank account without a BSN.
- Pay with a debit card (pinpas), phone or smartwatch.
Why You Need a Dutch Account
You must have a bank account if you work or do an internship.
How to Open a Bank Account
How students from India and Pakistan open a Dutch bank account.
Register with your city
Sign up on the city's list of residents (the BRP). You then get your BSN.
Choose a bank
Check what each bank asks for. ABN AMRO lets you open an account without a BSN.
Open the account
Bring your passport and the papers the bank asks for.
Get your debit card
Use it in shops and on public transport with OVpay.
Essential Documents:
- Passport - Your valid passport.
- Citizen service number (BSN) - Most banks ask for it. You get it when you register with your city.
Tips
Register with your city early to get your BSN.
Ask your bank which papers it needs before you visit.
You must have a bank account if you work or do an internship.
SIM Cards
How to get a Dutch phone number.
Top up through the KPN Prepaid app, online or automatically.
Best Student Deal:
Prepaid, with bundles you buy in the KPN Prepaid app
Odido gives you several ways to check how much credit you have left.
Best Student Deal:
Prepaid. You can set it to top up by itself on Odido.nl
Choose prepaid or a contract
Prepaid means you pay first and then use the credit. You top up when you need more.
Buy a SIM
Buy a prepaid SIM from a mobile provider such as KPN or Odido.
Top up
Add credit or buy a bundle in the app, online or automatically.
- A prepaid SIM means you pay first and then use the credit. There is no contract. You choose how much to spend.
- Top up online, in the provider's app or automatically.
Tips for Money and Phone
Simple tips for your first months.
Get a Dutch debit card
Most people pay with a debit card, called a pinpas in Dutch. Many grocery stores do not take credit cards.
Know iDEAL and Wero
iDEAL is a Dutch way to pay online straight from your bank. Wero is a service that works the same way. It started to replace iDEAL in January 2026.
Useful Apps
9292
Door-to-door planner for buses, trams and trains.
Your bank's app
Check your balance, pay in shops and pay online.
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